Kupang (ANTARA) - General Manager of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry Kupang Branch, Burhan Zahim, said crossing routes for Bolok-Rote Ndao and Bolok-Sabu Raijua remain temporarily closed due to high waves, which has made travel by ferry impossible.
"For the past four days, the crossing routes to Rote and Sabu have been closed. The demand is, indeed, high, but we cannot force the will to sail," Burhan Zahim told Antara in Kupang on Monday.
He noted that there were many travelers who want to return to their hometowns to celebrate the holidays with their families, but are delayed by the weather conditions.
Based on coordination with the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), he said, new weather forecasts are expected to see improved conditions and ferry crossings will continue by June 5, 2019.
"But we continue to monitor because there is not always bad weather. If there is an opportunity for us to leave, we will watch it and leave earlier," he said.
The BMKG of El Tari Kupang Station reported that high waves in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) were triggered by differences in air pressure between Australia and NTT.
"High winds and high waves are currently caused by significant differences in air pressure between Australia ,at around 1035 mb, and the NTT region, at around 1012 mb," said Duty Forecaster BMKG El Tari Station, Nanik Tresnawati.
(INE)
Reporter: Bernadus Tokan/Eliswan Azly
Editor: Suharto
